Held at the Leeds Baby Bank Hub on Wellington Road, the free, family-friendly event welcomed parents, carers and babies under one for a morning of dancing, sensory play and connection. The Baby Rave, delivered by BoomChikkaBoom, was funded by Leeds Hospitals Charity, who also provided a cake for families to enjoy. The celebration was complete with sweet treats provided by The Biskery, who supplied biscuits baked locally in Chapel Allerton.
The event marked the launch of a weekly drop-in service taking place every Monday, bringing together specialist midwives from Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust alongside a wide range of local partners. Families can now access a broad mix of support in one welcoming space, including maternity advice, baby care guidance, help with appointments, mental health support, and advice on housing, benefits and accessing essential items.
The Meet the Midwives service has been co-produced with local families in partnership with Leeds Maternity & Neonatal Voices Partnership (MNVP), ensuring it reflects the real needs of the community. Feedback highlighted the importance of a safe, inclusive and non-judgemental space where families can seek advice, build confidence and connect with others.
Ola is expecting her second baby and attends the drop-in every Monday:
“Coming to the drop-in is amazing. The midwives and services have really supported me, especially with my mental health and gestational diabetes. Being able to ask questions, get advice and meet other mums has made such a difference and I’ve been telling everyone I know to come along for help too.”
Nada Abdul-Majid, Specialist Midwife for Health Equity, reflected on the success of the launch:
“It was fantastic to see so many families come together today. The baby rave was a brilliant way to celebrate and create a warm, welcoming atmosphere. We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who has supported this new initiative, especially Leeds Hospitals Charity for making the event possible.
This service is all about bringing care closer to the community – making it easier for families to access the support they need, when they need it. We’re really proud of what’s been created together with local families here at Leeds Baby Bank, and we’re excited to see it continue to grow.”
The weekly Meet the Midwives sessions are every Monday from 10:00am to 12:00pm at Leeds Baby Bank, offering ongoing support for pregnant people and families with new babies.
Families are encouraged to drop in, connect with services, and access the help available in a friendly and supportive environment. Services include: Bosom Buddies peer support volunteers, West Yorkshire PATHS specialist midwives, 0-19 Health Visiting service, Leeds City Council children’s centres, Money Buddies and Citizens Advice Bureau.
Alongside the new drop-in service, the maternity team continues to run a range of supportive activities for families across the city. These include Maternal Journal art classes in Chapeltown and Bump & Baby walks in local parks, helping mums build confidence, improve wellbeing and connect with others. Families can find out more and explore upcoming sessions on the Leeds Maternity website: Pregnancy classes.